Bachelor of Music in Voice

The Music Education Program at Shorter University has a long history of training excellent teachers of music. In fact, some of the finest public school music teachers in the Southeast proudly claim Shorter as their alma mater.

But what can YOU do with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree? Graduates of our Bachelor of Music in Music Education program are well trained to pass the state certification test and apply for music teaching positions. But that’s not all. With this degree from Shorter University, you can also pursue graduate work in music education or other areas of music studies.

And in addition to jobs in music teaching, you will also be in position to apply for jobs in arts management, music business, private teaching, and many others. This degree not only prepares you musically and professionally for jobs in music and teaching, but you develop in the areas of creativity, self-motivation, self-discipline, skills which will help you be successful in whatever you choose to do.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree at Shorter University is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to develop their music potential and stay as flexible as possible regarding future career choices. The music education program keeps many job possibilities open, without closing any options. At Shorter University, music education majors receive the same intensive training, from the same professors, as performance majors. Because of the winning combination of excellent musical training and job flexibility, the music education major could be considered the degree of choice for most music students.

Shorter’s Music Education Program not only has a long history, but also a long tradition of excellence. A degree from Shorter University carries value to school administrators who have come to associate our college with outstanding teachers. For that reason, our job placement rate for our graduates who decide to pursue a public school teaching job is nearly 100%.

The strength of the music education program is due to several factors, including:

– a very strong faculty, including those with outstanding public school teaching experience

– the small class size, and the close working relationship between Shorter students and faculty

– a carefully designed curriculum that balances liberal arts core courses with a rigorous professional training in music and teaching techniques

– an emphasis on the observation of master teachers (both on and off campus) and practical hands-on teaching experience both prior to and during student teaching

At Shorter University, we believe that strong music teachers must first be strong musicians. All music education students take applied music lessons from artist level professors who take a keen interest in the professional development of their students while maintaining their own active performing careers. Our applied faculty become mentors to our students – guiding, challenging, encouraging, and leading students to achieve their highest musical potential.

Description of Bachelor of Music Education
The Bachelor of Music in Music Education is a four-year degree that leads to a Georgia Certificate in teaching music for Preschool through Grade 12. The curriculum combines common academic (core) courses with rigorous music study. The music courses include:

applied study in voice, piano, or instrumental music
secondary study in voice or piano
ensemble participation
There are also important courses in education principles that guide students in organizing, planning, leading, and evaluating music instruction. One of the highlights of the program is the fieldwork, including observation and hands-on experience in public school music classes prior to student teaching. Because of these practica, our music students are experienced teachers before they begin their student teaching semester. We maintain good relationships with the premier public-school music teachers in the area and are proud to place our student teachers in these excellent programs.